PLANTATION SCHEME

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28323, 8 July 1957, Page 16

PLANTATION SCHEME

Children Help In Planting

An example of initiative, enthusiasm and co-operation is recorded in the first annual report of the South Malvern District Schools’ endowment plantation scheme. It describes the clearing and planting of an area at Coalgate with Douglas..fir, under the control of a joint committee from the schools in the area.

The Education Department has supported the 1 establishment of wood-lots at country schools, run by the children, and at present about a dozen schemes are in operation. The sites range in area from a quarter acre to 30 acres; the latter site is at Ash wick Flat, and is administered by the Fairlie District High School. The land at Coalgate, administered by the South Malvern district schools, was transferred from the Police Department. A joint committee was set up, and a plan of development over several years decided on, .with the assistance of the chief agricultural instructor of the Canterbury Education Board (Mr S. A. La Roche). Several working bees were held on the site to clear a fire break, to cut off the gorse, broom and blackberry which covered the area, to burn off, and to make the holes for 450 young trees. Gift of Trees The trees, young Douglas fir plants, were given by the Selwyn Plantation Board. On September 7, 1956, they were planted by a large group of children, parents and grand-parents, Education Board and Selwyn Plantation Board members, and members of the joint committee. Since the planting, school children and committee members have visited the plantation to paint a mixture of fat and kerosene, and to place tar-covered boulders near the bases of the plants, to deter rabbits and hares; and to water the young plants in early spring and autumn. Only 5 6 per cent, loss has occurred since planting. A grant of more than £3O was received from the Education Board to cover the cost of fencing and transport, and steps have been taken by the committee to secure seeds for a nursery scheme, to be established in the district. Such a scheme will be necessary in future years to supplement plantings.

The committee has also decided to allocate an area for the planting of native trees, and another for the planting of ornamental varieties such as oaks and chestnuts.

Schemes of this nature are projects by the people of the districts. and belong to them. The Education Board wishes committees to prepare reports of progress, however, which could be presented ht the biennial meetings of householders when school committees are elected.